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Question 99: Just wanted to ask for a little assistance with a young fellow...we're looking for some advice to help him transition into a new school. We want to be as helpful as we can and give them some suggestions... I thought of you and if you might have some good ideas. [He] has a real problem with transitions and new things so the move will have some impact on his behavior but we want to be as pro-active as possible. Anything you can send or direct me toward would be good. Cheers, C.M., NS, Canada.

Hey C.M.:

A few thoughts rattling around in my brain (can't get too specific without knowing the case):

-bring him into the school at least once, maybe the week or weekend before he starts, to show him around (i.e. take him to the classroom, playground, etc.). If it's possible to meet his teacher(s) beforehand that would be great as well.

-I assume that his daily schedule (i.e. which subjects are taught when) will be different from his old school. This should be gone over with him (give him a paper copy) so he is prepared for change and his day is predictable.

-The school might want to start off with 1/2 days initally; all of the changes will be overwhelming and he will run out of tolerance before others would. Short, brief successes are always preferable to long drawn-out failures that would negatively tinge his new experiences.

-I would arrange for an immediate in-service to be performed for both the kids and staff; it is a rare opportunity to have such a blank slate to work from, and so I would take full opportunity of it before 'behaviour' labels and misperceptions have a chance to start.

-arrange with the school for him to bring something familiar from his old classroom, or from his old school, or from his home with him initially to make the transition 'softer'; this can be phased out gradually.

Gotta run -- hope these ideas are of some assistance!
cheers,

Dr. Dunc.

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